Challenges and opportunities for the environmental risk assessment of chemicals in soils: a recap and follow-up of a SETAC webinar

Soil sustainability is unquestionable but is under various threats, one of which includes chemical pollution. Under the vision of reaching healthy soils by 2050, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Webinar “Assessing Risks in Soil: Challenges and Opportunities” was held to promote understanding of the current state of soil health in Europe and identify gaps in the environmental risk assessment (ERA) framework for chemicals entering soils. In reflection on the webinar and soil protection, strategies to describe the current state of soils, including knowledge on existing chemical pollution in soils and soil biodiversity metrics, were discussed. With respect to soil pollution by chemicals, the current ERA framework was analyzed to identify gaps and needs to protect in-soil biodiversity exposed to chemicals. Here, the importance of soil monitoring and cyclical feedback mechanisms for ERA are highlighted as well as the need to shift the current ERA framework towards a holistic approach that considers long-term impacts on in-soil organisms and soil biodiversity under realistic conditions. Two methods (terrestrial model ecosystems and trait-based approaches) are reviewed as potential suitable tools for the detection of community level effects within the ERA of chemicals entering soils. Finally, the need for cooperation and engagement between Member States and stakeholders is tabled.